Teachers & Staff
Meet our teachers and staff and see what makes Wilkinson special.
Our Teachers
Julie Hockridge
Head Teacher & Music Director
She gained her Bachelors Degree (BMus, with Honors) at the University of Sheffield, England. She then went on to her Post Graduate studies at the Institute of Education, London, where she obtained her qualification in Music Education. She also successfully completed her first year of a second course, Masters in Educational Management, before moving to the USA.
Julie began her teaching career in England, where she was soon promoted to a Head of Department position overseeing the musical education of over 500 students from ages 11-18. During her teaching career in England she has also been entrusted with the responsibility of training new teachers, has directed orchestras, choirs and ensembles (including performing at the Royal Albert Hall), has been an examiner for the UK’s General Certificate of Secondary Education and also has experience in teaching the European Baccalaureate curriculum.
Julie grew up on the south coast of Wales, in the UK. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Ella, in 2003, Julie and her family moved to Wisconsin. While in the Midwest, she returned to education, teaching pre-K through 12th grade at Brookfield Academy and studying/training in the Suzuki Method of teaching violin.Outside of school, Julie loves spending time with her family and her two dogs. She is a self proclaimed ‘Foodie’ and loves to spend time cooking.
Kimberly Gates
Teacher, Middle School
She loves the relationships she is able to formulate with his students in a multi-age classroom and the freedom she’s allowed at the school to bring new ideas and infuse some excitement to the curriculum. Having the opportunity to teach nearly all subjects makes every day different, and she is thankful to be working with such a small, delightful group of students, acting as both a teacher and a mentor.
Kimberly joined Wilkinson School in 2018. She has also been actively involved in developing programs for students and teachers outside the classroom, especially programs focused on social emotional development and educational technology. Kimberly holds a Master of Education from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts with a minor in Math from California State University, Sacramento. When not in her classroom, you might find Kimberly running the Coastal Trail, playing board games, or deeply engrossed in a Brandon Sanderson novel.
Carrie Munson
Teacher, 4th and 5th Grade
She fell in love with teaching as a newlywed in Germany, when she volunteered in the Department of Defense School’s Child Development Center. She discovered children were a tremendous source of energy and inspiration and has been following her passion in education ever since.
Carrie has taught 3rdand 4thgrades at schools in California and Colorado and has specialized in English language acquisition. She holds a Master of Education from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor of Science from Wake Forest University.
Carrie keeps busy at home with two teenage sons, two crazy dogs, and one super sweet ball python. She also enjoys indoor rock climbing, Spartan obstacle races, reading, and cooking.
Jessica Giovannoni
Teacher, 2nd and 3rd Grade
She has a genuine love of young children and knew from an early age that she would most likely become a teacher. She enjoys introducing students to plant and animal life through various activities and encourages children to lead a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.
Jessica was born in San Francisco and raised primarily in the nearby town of Pacifica, California. She began her education at the age of three at the Children’s School in Park Pacifica. She later went back to volunteer at the school as a sixth grader and ultimately began her career there in early education at the age of 22. She graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco and later the University of San Francisco. Jessica taught young children in both Pacifica and Millbrae for nine years before becoming the kindergarten teacher at St. Cornelius School in Richmond, California. She left the St. Cornelius community after five years to have her baby girl and then joined the Wilkinson staff.
Jessica lives in Moss Beach with her 4-year-old daughter, Emma, whom she adores. You will often see Miss Jessica out and about taking Emma on bike or scooter rides down to the marine reserve nearby. In her free time, she loves visiting her extended family in Hawaii and enjoying outdoor activities, especially water skiing and snow skiing.
Katie Marquis
Teacher, Kindergarten and 1st Grade
She began as an after school teacher and went on to become the kindergarten teacher. Katie has been on the Wilkinson staff for 11 years. While working at Wilkinson, Katie fell in love with roller skating and began playing competitive roller derby. She took a teaching hiatus for a few years and played roller derby all over the world, everywhere from Paris to Montreal. She loves to inspire children to find their passion just as she found hers.
When Katie is not teaching you can find her shopping at the farmers market or on her skates at the skatepark. She also loves reading a good book and snuggling her cat.
Norma Acosta
After School Manager and Teaching Assistant
Norma has a deep affection for children, which shows in the relationships she has with her students. She feels it is important to teach little ones basic life skills so they can thrive.
Originally from Alisco, Mexico, she then moved to Half Moon Bay, where she started an in-home daycare. Norma is happily married and has two children, Angie and Diego. She refers to them as her sun and moon. Her favorite pastimes are listening to instrumental music and cooking with her kids.
Kristin Douty
Teaching Assistant
Her career in education began with four years as a substitute teacher in Southern California where she gained experience with all grade levels, from kindergarten through high school. She discovered a particular joy in helping young students develop their love of learning while also rekindling a passion for children’s literature. On moving to the Bay Area, Kristin secured a position as an instructional assistant in special education at Woodside Elementary School.
Kristin grew up in Southern California, but found her true home here on the Coastside. When she’s not in the classroom, Kristin enjoys beachcombing, crafting, or baking with her daughter, photography, and reading. She says that Wilkinson is a perfect fit for her and for her daughter.
Andrea Caturegli
Teacher, Art
Art has been a huge part of Andrea’s life, beginning around 3rd grade, and she values what art education brings to children as they develop into well rounded individuals. She is very excited to be working with our students and sharing her passion for art throughout the Wilkinson community.
Susan Hylton
PE Teacher and Teaching Assistant
After graduating from college she returned to the coast and worked as a teacher’s aide in the 4/5 class at Kings Mountain School. This is when she realized she loved working with children. She subsequently became a substitute teacher and a private tutor.
Upon the birth of her first child in 2003, a lovely daughter, she happily decided to stay at home. She had her second child, another sweet girl, in 2006 and a wonderful little boy in 2011. They keep her life grounded, her soul soaring, and her heart happy.
Susan loves being with her family more than anything. For fun she can be found taking the family dogs, two labs, to the beach and on hikes, riding and caring for their family horse, tap dancing, gardening, and making her family laugh.
Susan is very excited to be working at Wilkinson, where she is combining her love for physical activity with teaching children. In addition, she feels so blessed to be part of the special school that is Wilkinson.
Karen Kalumuck
Specialty Teacher, Science
Karen Kalumuck is an Ohio native who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Bowling Green State University and earned a doctorate in Biology (Genetics specialty) from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She pursued a research career studying the molecular biology of human genetic disease at Baylor College of Medicine, but her deep interest in science education led her to a faculty position an undergraduate school, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Tiring of the long, dark winters in Minnesota, and following her developing interest in science literacy for all, led to a move to California and a career as a writer, museum scientist, and educator at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. During her near-20 years there she developed and delivered a robust teacher professional development program in Biology for middle and high school teachers, and worked with the general public through presentations, demonstrations, and special hands-on programs. Her numerous publications, including the middle-school oriented book, Human Body Explorations, span scientific research and science education. She has presented workshops at dozens of venues across the country and internationally, most recently as a participant with Science for Monastics, where she taught Biology to Tibetan Buddhist nuns in Dharamsala, India.
Karen and her husband, Rob have lived in Moss Beach since 1996 and share their home with two cats and two dogs, some fish, a huge number of succulent plants and the occasional foster animal. Together they enjoy U.S. and international travel, hiking, kayaking, and generally hanging out in the beautiful Coastside. In her spare time, Karen serves as a volunteer naturalist at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and an Adoption Assistant at San Francisco Animal Care and Control.
Our Office Staff
Stephanie Weber
Director of Business & Operations
Stephanie has an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, BA from USC and over 20 years of experience in marketing & business for such companies as Wine.com and Shutterfly She is also a founding member of the local Coastside Summer Camp Fair, served as board member of two local non-profit boards, experience managing her family non-profit, and a unique understanding of our Wilkinson community. Previously Stephanie has been the PTO chair, and has been a familiar face around Wilkinson - from volunteering in the classroom, to helping with school-wide events - for many years before working at Wilkinson School.
Having lived on the coastside since she was a child, she has a particular fondness for this community. Stephanie and her family enjoy the beauty and wonder of our unique coastside town. She enjoys photography and spending time with her family.
Summer Hagedorn
Reception & Front Office
As a parent of two boys at Wilkinson, she is well acquainted with the unique needs of students, faculty, and families.
Her family chose Wilkinson School for her two boys because of its individualized education and close-knit community. Summer is also a Wilkinson School board member since 2017.
Maria Holleman
Reception & Front Office
The South African native has been a professional chef, head of sales, marketing and strategy for a CPR and first aid training company, owner of a graphic design firm, owner of a real estate brokerage firm, pet sitter and childcare provider, and production manager in the South African film industry. Maria has shown exceptional drive and curiosity to master each new role in her life.
She enjoys her role at Wilkinson for the camaraderie of like-minded staff, the daily interactions with students, and the sense of purpose in helping the school thrive. Maria holds a secretarial diploma, a Cordon Bleu chef certificate, a diploma in marketing from IMM Graduate School of Marketing, and a training certification in CPR and first aid.
She loves the Coastside, which reminds her of her coastal home of Cape Town, and occupies her spare time with reading, walking, and spending time with her family.